Compare the2023 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2023 Acura MDX

The 4Runner has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The MDX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 4Runner 4WD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the 4Runner and the MDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

There are almost 5 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 4Runner’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the 4Runner’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the MDX’s camshafts. If the MDX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4Runner first among midsize suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The MDX isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Acura is ranked 28th.

The 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6 produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (278 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota 4Runner uses regular unleaded gasoline. The MDX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The 4Runner has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (23 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 4Runner’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the MDX are solid, not vented.

The 4Runner stops shorter than the MDX:

The Toyota 4Runner’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Acura MDX only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the MDX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The 4Runner TRD Off-Road offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The MDX doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 4Runner’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.6% to 46.4%) than the MDX’s (58% to 42%). This gives the 4Runner more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the 4Runner’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the MDX’s (37.4 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner has a 2.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (9.6 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The 4Runner’s minimum ground clearance is .2 inch higher than on the MDX Type S (9.6 vs. 9.4 inches).

The 4Runner is 8.2 inches shorter than the MDX, making the 4Runner easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 4Runner has .8 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more third row legroom, 2.7 inches more third row hip room and 2.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

The 4Runner 5-Passenger’s optional sliding cargo floor is capable of supporting 440 pounds, to make loading and unloading cargo easier and safer. The MDX doesn’t offer a sliding load floor.

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The MDX’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The 4Runner has a much higher standard payload capacity than the MDX (1625 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The 4Runner has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the MDX (1700 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The engine in the 4Runner is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The TRD Pro was selected by Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine as their 2015 4x4 of the Year. The MDX has never been chosen.

The Toyota 4Runner outsold the Acura MDX by over two to one during the 2021 model year.